Calcaneal cross medullary plate

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for securely fixating an anterior portion of a calcaneus to a reduced posterior facet portion of the calcaneus, using a plate that may allow for stable fixation between the anterior calcaneus, the reconstructed posterior facet, and the posterior tuberosity, and a barrel that may be rotated into the best position to allow posterior screws to enter the best quality bone in the posterior tuberosity. The appropriate height may be set by rotating a push screw, thereby engaging the barrel, and pushing the posterior tuberosity distally.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/470,472, filed Mar. 13, 2017. The entire contents of that application are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of implant devices for bone fixation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The calcaneus is the most frequently fractured tarsal bone. In the majority of cases, the calcaneus breaks into three main fragments, namely the anterior, posterior facet, and posterior tuberosity. The posterior facet is the main joint surface and is often broken into two or more pieces. To successfully repair a calcaneus that is fractured, the posterior facet joint surface typically should be accurately reduced and securely fixated. The posterior facet is then typically securely fixated to the anterior portion and the posterior tuberosity, restoring the normal alignment of the body of the calcaneus. The majority of calcaneus fractures are fixed with a plate placed on the lateral aspect of the calcaneus or the medial aspect of the calcaneus, and screws are usually placed through the plate to fixate the plate to the calcaneus. Independent lag screws are often used to bring the joint surfaces together. Some newer concepts involve an intramedullary nail placed along the longitudinal or long axis of the calcaneus with interlocking screws placed through the nail with the use of Jiggs. Finally, independent lag screws can be used, and external fixation can be used. However, a need exists for a plate coupled with an intramedullary device.

Some of the main complications of open treatment and internal fixation of calcaneus fractures are poor wound healing and infection. Secondary complications include stiffness due to extensive scarring after internal fixation requiring extensive elevation of soft tissue envelopes. Although some of the existing devices assert that a patient can bear weight early after internal fixation, there is no good data to support immediate weight bearing with any of the current devices.

In particular, placing a plate over either the lateral aspect or medial aspect of the calcaneus typically requires significant surgical approaches and elevation of soft tissues, even with a smaller sinus tarsi approach. This extensive elevation of soft tissue off the calcaneal bone may lead to disruption of the blood supply to the bone and may compromise the viability of the soft tissues. Such results then lead to the higher risk of scarring, poor wound healing, and infections.

One solution would be to place everything intramedullary (i.e., in the middle of the calcaneus). However, such solution does not typically allow for adequate reduction and stabilization of the posterior facet, which is the articular surface of the subtalar joint. If the joint surface is not accurately and securely fixated, the risk of developing post traumatic arthritis is greatly increased. Therefore, the concept of using an intramedullary device should be coupled with an open approach to accurately reduce the joint fracture and then to fixate the joint with independent screws. However, the intramedullary device and the independent lag screws may not be coupled together. This allows for accurate reduction of the joint and the body of the calcaneus, but does not provide for adequate axial stability to permit early weight bearing.

The current intramedullary products on the market do not allow for accurate joint fixation. The current screw and plate products on the market usually lead to excessive soft tissue injury and higher wound healing and infection risks. Thus, there is a need for a device that will provide for less invasive accurate fixation and for adequate stability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a combination of a limited plating technique through a small incision with intramedullary screw fixation engaging a barrel.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce elevation of soft tissue, leading to less devitalization, less scarring, improved range of motion, enhanced function, and a lower infection rate compared to traditional extensile lateral plating.

It is a further object of the present invention to allow for accurate, stable joint restoration which may lead to a lower risk of post traumatic arthritis.

Numerous variations may be practiced in the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to embodiments set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated embodiments are merely exemplary of systems, methods, and apparatuses for carrying out the invention, both the organization and method of operation of the invention, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. Like reference numbers generally refer to like features (e.g., functionally similar and/or structurally similar elements).

The drawings are not necessarily depicted to scale; in some instances, various aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings to facilitate an understanding of different features. Also, the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended hereto or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a plate fixating 3 major portions of calcaneous;

FIG. 1A depicts a posterior facet fracture from the side with independent lag screws;

FIG. 1B depicts a posterior facet fracture from above with independent lag screws;

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a calcaneal plate with cross medullary fixation system;

FIG. 3 depicts an isometric view of a calcaneal plate with cross medullary fixation system;

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of a calcaneal plate with cross medullary fixation system;

FIG. 5 depicts a fracture site in an initial position;

FIG. 6 depicts a fracture site brought out to appropriate height;

FIG. 7 depicts a fracture position fixated by posterior tuberosity screws;

FIG. 8 depicts a plate and cross medullary barrel in axial alignment;

FIG. 9 depicts a front view of a calcaneal plate;

FIG. 10 depicts a plate with barrel and posterior tuberosity screw at first position;

FIG. 11 depicts a plate with barrel and posterior tuberosity screw at alternate position;

FIG. 12 depicts a calcaneal plate and barrel after initial implantation prior to fracture site repositioning;

FIG. 13 depicts a calcaneal plate and barrel with push screw interfaced with barrel;

FIG. 14 depicts a calcaneal plate and barrel with push screw and posterior tuberosity screws.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention. However, techniques, systems, and operating structures in accordance with the invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiments. Also, the features and elements disclosed herein may be combined to form various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly stated otherwise. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative. Yet, in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein, which define the scope of the invention. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The invention is described herein with reference to repair of a fractured calcaneus. The plate portion of the present device may securely fixate the anterior portion of the calcaneus (1) to the reduced posterior facet/joint portion of the calcaneus and then may integrate with the intramedullary portion of the device to provide enhanced stability between all three major portions of the calcaneus.

The device may be installed by using an open approach through the sinus tarsi, allowing direct vision of the joint surface, so that the posterior facet can be accurately reduced and stabilized with independent lag screws. A plate (4) may allow for stable fixation between the anterior calcaneus (1), the reconstructed posterior facet (19), and the posterior tuberosity (3) without (or with minimal) stripping away of the blood supply to the posterior calcaneus. One of the benefits of having the screws coming from the posterior tuberosity (3) and locking into the barrel (9) of the plate (4) is that the patient will have excellent early stability and can bear weight early. In various embodiments, the screws fixating the posterior tuberosity to the intramedullary barrel may make it possible to eliminate (or reduce the use of) the posterior plate portion of all existing plating products, preserving the posterior lateral soft tissues. This would lead to a lower infection risk and improved healing.

In various embodiments, and during surgery, the surgeon may place a medial temporary external fixator to bring the calcaneus out to an appropriate height. This may make reduction of the posterior facet easier. The surgeon may utilize a sinus tarsi approach from the tip of the fibula to the anterior process of the calcaneus. The surgeon may elevate the peroneal tendons off of the anterior calcaneus and the region below the posterior facet. As shown in FIG. 1, this is where the plate may be placed. Prior to placing the plate, the posterior facet may be reduced and stabilized with either small independent wires or screws (18). As shown in FIG. 2, plate (4) may extend from an anterior end (20) to a posterior end (22) and may have one or more scalloped cutouts to facilitate implantation of screws (18).

A template may then be placed along the lateral wall after dis-impacting the fracture of the lateral wall. Once the appropriate plate size is determined, the definitive plate (4) may be placed. As shown in FIG. 1, the plate may securely fixate the anterior calcaneus (1) to the reconstructed posterior facet (19).

The surgeon may drill a hole through the calcaneus for barrel (9), and then barrel (9) may be placed. A stepped portion (12) at the top of barrel (9) may mate with a recess within aperture (36) through which barrel (9) is placed. A flange (11) on the side of plate (4) facing the bone may be used to axially support barrel (9). Flange (11) may partially or entirely encircle aperture (36).

Barrel (9) may be rotated into the best position to allow posterior screws to enter the best quality bone in the posterior tuberosity. FIGS. 10 and 11 show posterior screw (7 a) positioned at different angles with respect to plate (4). Referring to FIGS. 8-11, barrel (9) may then be locked into position with the plate by mating one or more locking tabs (13) with indentations (14 and/or 15) in aperture (36). As seen in FIGS. 2-4, a barrel locking cap (6) may be inserted into aperture (36) on top of stepped portion (12) of barrel (9). Locking cap (6) may installed in a number of ways, including, by press fitting locking cap (6) into aperture (36), or by engaging threads on the outer circumference of locking cap (6) with threads on the interior surface of aperture (36).

Referring to FIG. 4, barrel (9) may be secured to the medial wall of the calcaneus with screw (24), placed through the central portion of barrel (9). Screw (24) may lock into the tip of barrel (9) as shown in FIG. 12. This may enhance the axial stability of the final construct.

A jig may be connected to the plate and reduction of the posterior tuberosity may be performed. From a unique standpoint of making the surgery easier and more reproducible, the surgeon may utilize the jig to place a half pin into the posterior tuberosity to correct the varus/valgus alignment. Once this is corrected, the pin may be locked to the jig, as long as the height is correct.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, if the height of the posterior tuberosity is not correct, push screw (8) may be employed. Push screw (8) may be a fully threaded screw. In the alternative, the leading end (17) of push screw (8) may be bare of threads as shown in FIG. 12. Push screw (8) may be inserted so as to make contact with barrel (9). The point of contact may be an aperture or shallow indentation (16). If two lags screws (7 a, 7 b) are to be inserted, for example, the shallow indentation (16) or other point of impact may be located between the apertures that receive lag screws (7 a, 7 b). For example, aperture (16) may be located half-way between the two lag screws (7 a, 7 b).

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, a surgeon may “dial” the appropriate height into the posterior tuberosity by rotating push screw (8), thereby engaging barrel (9), and pushing the posterior tuberosity distally. Once the height and alignment of the posterior tuberosity are appropriate, two screws (7 a, 7 b) may be placed from the posterior tuberosity into barrel (9) engaging the barrel.

As shown in FIG. 12, each of the screw (7 a, 7 b) may have an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis, with a threaded portion at a first end for advancing the screw into a bone or fragment. At the other end, each screw may have a tapered head. The tapered head may also be threaded. Between the first end and the head, each screw may have an unthreaded shaft as shown in FIG. 12. In the alternative, each screw may have a threaded shaft.

On or more screws (5) may be inserted through holes (27) in plate (4). And into bone. Screws (5) may be locking or non-locking screws. As shown in FIG. 10, each hole (27) may have one or more indentations. Each heads of screws (5) may include a locking tab that allows the screw head to be locked in hole (27). Holes (27) may be arranged so that the center-lines of holes (27) do not intersect the implantation path of screws (7 a, 7 b), so that when screws (5) are implanted following implantation of screws (7 a, 7 b), screws (5) do not make contact with screws (7 a, 7 b).

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to embodiments for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details, and the invention is capable of being embodied in other forms, without departing from the spirit, essential characteristics, and principles of the invention. Also, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may allow or facilitate any benefit, advantage, or solution are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential to the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a plate portion, wherein the plate portion securely fixates an anterior portion of a calcaneus to a reduced posterior facet portion of the calcaneus, and an intramedullary portion, wherein the plate portion integrates with the intramedullary portion to provide enhanced stability between all three major portions of the calcaneus. 